Sandeshkhali Unrest: Calcutta HC Allows Suvendu Adhikari To Visit Violence-Hit Area Without Supporters

Bengal opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari has been granted permission by the Calcutta HC to visit the violence-hit Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district.

The Calcutta High Court has granted permission to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari to visit the violence-hit Sandeshkhali in Bengal's North 24 Parganas. However, the court said that only Adhikari and another BJP leader Shankar Ghosh will be allowed to enter the area and no supporter can accompany them. The court also asked the police to maintain order and peace.

Earlier, Adhikari was stopped by the police from entering the unrest-hit region. Suvendu had reached North Parganas 24 to meet the women in Sandeshkhali along with a few party MLAs. After being denied entry, the saffron party MLAs along with BJP leader Suvendu staged a protest against the police and state government.

While granting permission to the West Bengal Leader of the Opposition, the high court asked him not to make any "provocative speeches" during his visit. Suvendu was also asked not to indulge in any "unlawful activities" while he was there. The court granted him permission saying that he could visit the area with security personnel.

The permission came in after Suvendu approached the Calcutta High Court, alleging that he was denied entry to Sandeshkhali twice during the last week. Suvendu had earlier stated that he had received permission for his visit on February 12 but he could not go as the state government had imposed Section 144 CrPc. 

Sandeshkhali has been witnessing massive protests ever since many women came out alleging that several TMC leaders had been sexually exploiting them and usurping their lands. The protest began after a team of the Enforcement Directorate was attacked while they were on their way to raid TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan's house in the alleged Bengal ration scam. Following this, the TMC leader absconded and has been on the run since then.

During his absence, the women mustered the courage to speak about the atrocities they had been facing at the hands of Sheikh Shahjahan, and his aides Shibu Hazra and Uttam Sardar. Shibu Hazra was arrested on February 17 from Basirhat.